Chignecto Crown Lands Evaluation Newsletter #2 - Fall, 2010 Update This Newsletter

This second newsletter provides an update on the Chignecto Crown lands evaluation. It includes a summary of what we have heard so far, and describes our next steps. We have also tried to answer many of the common questions that we have heard.

Broad public consultation on a candidate wilderness area will start after a proposed boundary is released. This will include open house meetings in local communities. Kelly River Photo: Irwin Barrett Why a wilderness area? Background Q: What is the purpose of a wilderness area? In October 2009, Nova Scotia Environment (NSE) Wilderness area designation helps to protect some and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of our best wild spaces. Designation helps conserve began evaluating options for establishing a large biodiversity and habitat by prohibiting development wilderness area within Crown lands in the vicinity of and industrial uses. Camping, hunting, sport fishing, Chignecto Game Sanctuary, Cumberland County. hiking and other wilderness recreation activities are permitted. Our first newsletter, released in December 2009, explained why these Crown lands are being Q: Why is this area being considered for wilderness evaluated. It also detailed how we will work area protection? and consult with others to achieve conservation The Crown land study area offers a unique opportunity objectives, while minimizing impacts on other land to protect a large and relatively natural area of land uses. within Cumberland County. The natural landscape there is not currently included in Nova Scotia’s parks Good information is essential to designing a and protected area system. candidate wilderness area boundary. Over the past eight months, we have been gathering information The study area includes important ecological features, and meeting with interested parties and individuals. such as old forest stands, undeveloped rivers, wetlands, and Bay of Fundy coast. It provides habitat for species at risk, including mainland moose, wood turtle, and inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic salmon.

A new wilderness area can ensure long-term opportunities for wilderness recreation, hunting, sport fishing, education, research, tourism, and community stewardship. Some vehicle use can be accommodated.

1 How much will be protected?

Q: What area is being considered and how much will be protected? The Crown land study area is 35,000 hectares (86,000 acres) and includes Chignecto Game Sanctuary, plus Crown land extending northeast to Harrison Lake and west to Chignecto Bay. All of these Crown lands are being evaluated, but not all lands will be protected. 12 Mile Bridge, Kelly River Private lands are not part of the Crown land study area. As a condition of selling this land to the province Q: Why not protect the entire Chignecto Crown land at an affordable price, Wagner wished to harvest study area? a certain amount of wood to meet the company’s Nova Scotia is facing many changes in land use. The current wood-supply obligations. An agreement was province has commitments to supply wood to various made to allow the company to harvest on 25% of sawmills, and a legal obligation to provide annual the property (2,000 acres) over a two-year period, allotments of wood fiber to Northern Pulp. while staying at least 200 meters away from the coast and major ravines, where remnant patches of At the same time, we are continuing to find ways to older forest still exist. Special wildlife areas are also meet our 12% land protection goal by 2015. Some of the being protected from harvest. study area will remain outside a wilderness area to help meet these forestry commitments and provide flexibility The province’s view of this is long-term. The for other land uses. property is expected to recover to a more natural condition over time. Without this arrangement, Q: What about the land at Apple Head? there was a risk the land could be sold to private In February 2010, the province purchased 3,400 developers, subdivided, and lost to public access hectares (8,500 acres) and 22 kilometers of forever. undeveloped coastline on the Bay of Fundy, at Apple Head, from Wagner Forest Management Ltd. The Apple Head property is not being considered as part of the Chignecto Crown Lands Evaluation This was the largest piece of privately owned ocean area. However, Apple Head will be considered for frontage in Nova Scotia. The land was part of a future protection as we work to protect 12% of Nova provincial large land purchase program to support Scotia’s land base by 2015. wilderness protection, heritage conservation, tourism, recreation, community use, fishing, hunting, Mi'kmaw What has been happening? interests, and other uses. In the first newsletter, we encouraged interested The Apple Head property has a long history of people and organizations to share ideas and forestry activities, including road-building, harvesting, information. and silviculture. Many people have noticed recent harvesting in part of the area. This early input will help develop boundary options that will be presented to the Ministers of Environment and Natural Resources. With their approval, a candidate wilderness area boundary will then be released for broad public review.

So far, we have met with the following: • Nova Scotia Association of Crossbow Hunters (NSACH) • Bow Hunters Association of Nova Scotia (BANS) Welton Lake

2 • Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters (NSFAH) • Cumberland Wilderness (CW) • Ecology Action Centre (EAC) • Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) • Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) • Cumberland Snowmobile Club • Cumberland Trails (Cumberland County Riders Association) • Chignecto Glooscap Snowmobile Club • All-Terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia Maccan Road - Poplar Road Junction (ATVANS) • Chignecto and Area All-Terrain Vehicle Club Q: What about industrial resource interests? • Cumberland Regional Economic Development The Crown land study area includes forests with Agency (CREDA) significant wood fibre. The area also has potential for • a campsite leaseholder development of oil and gas, mineral resources, and wind • Private landowners energy. • Planning staff from the Municipality of the County of Cumberland We have been gathering information and are meeting • Councillors from the Municipality of the County of with commercial and industrial groups so we can Cumberland understand and consider their priorities. So far, • Town of Springhill we have met with staff from Cumberland Regional • Murray Scott, then MLA for Cumberland South. Economic Development Agency (CREDA) and the Municipality of the County of Cumberland, primarily We have also heard from numerous individuals and to discuss wind energy potential along the Chignecto organizations, including: Bay coast.

• Two Countries, One Forest (2C1Forest) Eastrock Resources Ltd. holds conventional onshore • Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) oil and gas exploration agreements that apply to • Mining Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) a large area within Cumberland and Colchester • Hoeg Brothers Lumber Counties, including the entire Crown land study • Glooscap Restaurant and Lounge area. Stealth Ventures Ltd. holds rights to explore • Wheaton’s Irving for coal bed methane, including within the northern 40% of the Crown land study area. We are working to There will be many opportunities for the public to arrange discussions with these companies about their comment on a candidate wilderness area boundary interests. during the public consultation process. We have also started formal consultation with the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq. What have we heard so far? 1 - The Chignecto Sanctuary area is highly valued

Individuals and organizations are telling us that this area is special for its relatively intact forests, rivers, coastline, and associated wildlife habitat. We are also hearing that people enjoy the area for a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hunting, sportfishing, canoeing, hiking, sight-seeing, and off-highway vehicle (OHV) recreation. Finally, we are hearing that the area provides or can provide economic benefits through forestry, tourism, and other uses. Barred Owl, Chignecto Game Sanctuary

3 • Boars Back Ridge Road along River Hebert • the coastal highway between Shulie and Sand River • Goodwin Road, connecting the above roads

The Boars Back Ridge Road along River Hebert and the coastal highway between Shulie and Sand River will continue to be operated by the Nova Scotia department of Transportation and Infrastructure Goodwin Road Renewal.

2 - Concern about future vehicle access The Goodwin Road will continue to be maintained by the province as resources permit, as this road will be We are hearing concern from individuals and unaffected by a wilderness area designation. However, organizations about continued vehicle use in the area. existing resources for forestry road maintenance could change as a result of a new wilderness area, as well as Many existing users of the area, including ATV and other factors. This issue is being fully considered as snowmobile riders do not wish to lose access to existing part of the evaluation process by NSE and DNR. roads and routes. Snowmobilers say the existing trail network is important for winter tourism in the area. Automobile users have also expressed concern, especially hunters and those wishing to access Welton Lake and Kelly River.

Others worry that too many OHV routes will jeopardize the area’s wilderness values, such as habitat protection, biological diversity, and a quiet wilderness experience.

We are hearing a wide range of views on how many and Tipping Meadows Brook Road - Welton Lake Road Junction which roads and routes should remain open for vehicle Photo: Lyndon Crowe use. Some say all existing routes should be kept open, while others suggest decommissioning certain routes. Q: Can existing OHV-routes remain open for use? Yes – Government will consider permitting continued No one has proposed that all routes and roads should be vehicle use on a limited number of additional routes closed to motorized access. that meet local needs. Not all routes will remain open because roads degrade natural ecosystems, Q: What is government’s position? biodiversity and wilderness character. Government is committed to maintaining essential OHV connections between communities. The We have been meeting with OHV user groups to following roads were excluded from the study area discuss the regional route network. Route use can and therefore are not being considered for wilderness continue by excluding roads from a new wilderness area designation: area or through use of trail management agreements.

Roads were excluded from Eigg Mountain-James River Wilderness Area and Ship Harbour Long Lake Wilderness Area. Trail management agreements can be signed with OHV groups or other organizations, as we have done at Gully Lake Wilderness Area with both the Snowmobilers Association of Nova Scotia (SANS) and All-terrain Vehicle Association of Nova Scotia (ATVANS). Welton Lake Road Photo: John Collins

4 Q: What about bear baiting? Chignecto Game Sanctuary hunting regulations allow bear baiting. However, bear baiting is prohibited in wilderness areas. Therefore, bear baiting will be prohibited in all areas designated as wilderness area, including areas of dual wilderness area-game sanctuary designation.

4 - Respect owners of private land in-holdings and honour existing campsite leases

We are hearing questions and some concern from owners of private land in-holdings and campsite Buck, Chignecto Game Sanctuary Photo: Gary Davis leaseholders.

3 - Maintain existing hunting rules and regulations Q: How will private land in-holdings be affected? The Chignecto Crown land study area includes only We are hearing that hunters wish to maintain the Crown lands. Impacts to accessing private lands will be existing hunting regulations within Chignecto Game avoided where possible. If needed, access to private Sanctuary: bow-hunt only and the opportunity to wear lands that may be surrounded by a wilderness area full camouflage. will be provided by licence, but may be subject to conditions. We will work with private landowners on a Q: What will happen to Chignecto Game Sanctuary case-by-case basis to resolve any access issues. hunting regulations if part or all of the Sanctuary becomes a wilderness area? Q: Will existing campsite leases be honored if they Establishing a new wilderness area does not affect become part of a wilderness area? or change existing hunting regulations and licensing Yes – campsite leaseholders will have the opportunity requirements. We are not considering any changes to to renew their leases as wilderness area camp licences the sanctuary designation and hunting regulations. under the Wilderness Area Protection Act if their leases are included in a wilderness area. Vehicle access to Hunting regulations for Chignecto Game Sanctuary are campsite leases in a wilderness area can be licensed to under the Wildlife Act, which is administered by DNR. support structure maintenance or removal. A vehicle licensing program is being developed for wilderness Only long-bow hunting is allowed within Chignecto areas. Interim policy allows for continued vehicle Game Sanctuary; long-gun and cross-bow hunting, access to campsite leases and other legal interests on and trapping are prohibited. The Wildlife Act hunting existing and direct routes. regulations will continue to apply on any portion of a wilderness area that overlaps with the sanctuary. 5 - Protect moose and other species at risk Overlapping areas would have dual-designation as wilderness area and game sanctuary, resulting in a We are hearing concern about mainland moose. Some special hunting zone within the wilderness area where people have called for a large wilderness area and road sanctuary regulations would continue to apply. closures to ensure moose will thrive. Others believe that ending logging in a new wilderness area could Dual wilderness area – game sanctuary designation result in insufficient browse for moose. already exists in several places in the province. For example, portions of Tobeatic Wilderness Area are also part of Tobeatic Wildlife Management Area.

Sport fishing is permitted in all wilderness areas in accordance with provincial sportfishing regulations. Sand River Photo: Irwin Barrett

5 continue to be plenty of browse created by forest harvesting in the region.

Browse also occurs naturally in older forests where trees of varied ages, heights, and types exist. In these forests, openings are created naturally by processes such as wind and old age, which provide space for new growth. Other examples of natural disturbances which provide browse for moose are fire, insect defoliation, beaver activity, moose browse itself, ice storms, and tree ageing.

Bull Moose, Chignecto Game Sanctuary In mainland Nova Scotia, the healthiest moose populations occur in areas with few or no roads. The moose population on mainland Nova Scotia has been decreasing for several decades. As a result, the We also heard that people want habitat protection for province listed the mainland moose as “endangered” other species at risk in the study area including wood under Nova Scotia’s Endangered Species Act in 2003. turtle, Inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon, native Trout, and the Quebec Emerald Dragon Fly. According to DNR’s Recovery Plan for Moose in mainland Nova Scotia, moose require a variety of 6 - Protect Chignecto’s Forests habitats including: wetlands, streams, ponds, and lake shorelines to access aquatic vegetation and escape A variety of conservation-minded organizations and heat and insects in the summer months. During individuals have been telling us that the study area the winter months, moose require mature conifer or provides a unique opportunity to ensure a permanent mixed-wood forest for shelter and protection, and home and refuge for a diversity of wildlife, while offering mixed-wood forest habitats for browse (i.e. food) that is a wilderness experience for future generations of people. achieved though natural disturbances (e.g. wind) and human disturbances (e.g. tree harvest). Many of these groups and individuals are concerned that the current game sanctuary permits industrial The Chignecto Crown land study area contains a mosaic activities which can threaten wildlife habitat. of habitats that are used by moose. Wilderness areas can Wilderness areas provide comprehensive habitat help mainland moose survival because they provide protection and do not permit industrial activities. a variety of food sources, and seasonal shelter and protection.

An important goal of wilderness areas is to maintain and restore natural forests and natural processes, and to provide the same habitat which existed when moose did thrive. If needed, the Wilderness Areas Protection Act allows activities to achieve responsible management, preservation or restoration of a wilderness area (e.g. creating browse for moose). It is also best if the range of mainland moose does not overlap with that of white tailed deer, which carry a parasite that can be lethal for moose.

Some land in the Chignecto Crown land evaluation area will continue to be used for forest harvesting. Forest harvesting also occurs on most of the surrounding private lands. As a result, we expect that there will Old Forest, Chignecto Game Sanctuary

6 Both the Cumberland Snowmobile Club and the Chignecto Glooscap Snowmobile Club say the trail network in the Chignecto Game Sanctuary is important for winter tourism.

What happens next?

We are working to identify and release a candidate wilderness area boundary for public and stakeholder review in the coming months. NSE and DNR are Welton Lake Photo: Irwin Barrett working together to design a boundary that reflects the results of their joint technical review, and fairly considers all interest and concerns. Some noted the study area is home to some impressive examples of Acadian forest – particularly a mix of sugar Formal consultation with the Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq has maple – yellow birch, and softwood forests. The area started. also boasts pockets of old growth forest, provincially uncommon jack pine, upland hardwoods, and flood Once a candidate boundary is released, there will plain flora. be many opportunities for public comment. We will have regional and local information displays, open- Conservationists and scientists have pointed out that houses in local communities, write-in opportunities, the Chignecto Crown study area contains some of the and occasions to meet with staff. Additional boundary most intact remaining forests in Cumberland County changes can be made as a result of this public and represents the best remaining opportunity to comment and review. create a wilderness area in Cumberland County. A socio-economic study will be prepared which outlines the costs and benefits of designation. This study will be released for public comment and will be considered when final decisions are made on boundaries and designation of a new wilderness area.

Our goal is to satisfy many interests while achieving protection and conservation objectives. We thank everyone who has participated and helped us so far and look forward to hearing more from those who use, enjoy, or value these special Crown lands.

Kelly River

7 - Consider tourism

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS) has told us that establishing a significant wilderness area within the Chignecto Crown land study area could provide an important boost to tourism in For more information on the Chignecto Crown northern Nova Scotia. TIANS believes a new wilderness Lands Evaluation please contact: area would strengthen the so-called ‘golden triangle’, Protected Areas Branch - Nova Scotia Environment which now includes Fundy Geological Museum in Box 442, 5151 Terminal Road, Halifax, NS, B3J 2P8 Parrsboro, Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, and the Tel: (902) 424-2117 Fax: (902) 424-0501 Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage site. email: [email protected] www.gov.ns.ca/nse/protectedareas

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